Ode to Gujarat still in official closet
A R Rahman’s Gujarat theme song has not been given the publicity that it
deserves
Paul John | TNN
Ahmedabad: Is A R Rahman’s ode to Gujarat going unheard in the state it was
meant for? Four months after the composition, “Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat” was first
played, there has been no encore at any state function.
The Gujarat theme song was composed for the Swarnim Jayanti celebrations
marking 50 years of the state’s formation on May 1. Rahman was reportedly paid
a fee running into crores.
But, strangely enough,
there has been little attempt to promote the song. Even chief minister Narendra
Modi’s blog, which was all praise for the ‘Khushboo Gujarat ki’ tourism promos
— featuring Amitabh Bachchan as Gujarat’s brand ambassador — makes no mention
of it.
The only official reference
to the song can be found on the Swarnim Gujarat celebrations website, which has
an obscure link to the song. There is also a YouTube link, which has already
got 20,656 hits in the last three months.
Why underplay Rahman’s composition? Swarnim Gujarat organising committee
chairman I K Jadeja denies this and says that the marketing rights for the song
are yet to be assigned to an agency. “The decision is pending with the state
government. It was played once in public during the May 1 celebrations and then
there have been no major Swarnim Gujarat celebrations in the state,” he adds.
Interestingly, Rahman has a strong connection with Gujarat. The maestro’s
wife Saira Banu belongs to Kutch. Apparently, it was at a Sufi shrine here that
Rahman’s mother first saw Saira praying. The match was fixed soon thereafter.
“Jay Jay Garvi Gujarat” was originally written by noted Gujarati poet,
Narmad. Other Gujarati writers who have contributed to this song are Dilip
Rawal, Ankit
Trivedi, Sairam Dave and Chiragh Tripathi.
There is a Hindi version as well which has been written by Prasoon Joshi.
Also in the works is a music video, which is being directed by Rahman’s
long-time associate Bharat Bala. An interesting aspect about the song is the
way Rahman has used Gujarati instruments like the rare Kutchi flute, Jodiya
Pava, in the composition.
Incidentally, another Rahman number, “Jiyo Utho Badho Jeeto”, seems to be
attracting some controversy. There are reports that the Commonwealth Games
theme song has failed to enthuse the organizers in Delhi, with many claiming
that it lacks “punch”. There have been unfavourable comparisons with “Waka
Waka”, the hip-swaying Shakira number for the football world cup. Despite all
the talk, “Jiyo” has already got almost 1.5 lakh hits on YouTube.
